In Unplugged, Grandma Tracy is seemingly ignorant of the technology used in the Thunderbirds craft, and in other episodes of technology in general. In Up From the Depths Part 2, she is able to give Scott directions to get Thunderbird 1 out of a spin; is this a case of Depending on the Writer or Hidden Depths?
Given her actions in later episodes, Grandma is most certainly trolling Virgil in Unplugged.
In season 3, Gordon has trouble piloting Thunderbird 1, but had no problem piloting an airborne pod back in season 1.
On the other hand the Pods aren't expected to break the sound barrier on a regular basis, and probably are designed to be easier to use.
